Postpartum

Mother’s day is filled with brunches, free admission for mothers to family events and adorable handmade presents from school and daycare. But what about some alone time too? Here are my top three ways you can refill your cup in Green Bay by supporting local and spoiling yourself!

Hope Della Skincare

801 Hoffman Road

Green Bay, Wisconsin

If you haven’t heard of this brow magician you are truly missing out. Hope is a lovely person with a talent for making you look your best. She’s offering a limited edition Blackberry Vanilla Bean Facial available only the week of Mother’s Day! Savor the bursting fruit scents of blackberries followed by soothing vanilla bean aromas with this anti-aging, hydrating, and firming treatment.

For $65.00 ($80+ value), you’ll be treated to a mimosa (or sparkling cider), a 60 minute limited edition relaxing facial, a complimentary brow wax, and a special gift to take home.

Available by appointment only May 14-May 18. To schedule this special, please TEXT Hope at 920-403-0013 or EMAIL hope@hopedellaskin.com

I can’t even describe my excitement when I heard that Mom Tribe, Stephanie, and Lodge Kohler were teaming up! Take the evening to yourself and indulge in some serious SELF CARE! Join Mom Tribe along with the Green Bay Area Mom’s Blog & Stephanie Rudolph to chat about the importance of community & self care all while enjoying some R&R.

We have a special block of appointments from 4-8pm

Book your appointments directly with Olive Galiano at

(920)327-4605 or OLIVE.GALIANO@kohler.com

ENJOY 20% OFF your booked service for the event!

Never been to the Waters Spa at The Lodge Kohler? Well, you are in for a treat! Book any service to have access to the entire facility from 8am-8pm (remember, book a service during our event and also score 20% OFF)! Would like to attend the event but skip a service? For only $40 you can enjoy all the amenities and mingle with the ladies!

Weiler Academy– You have heard me talk about the float pods but did you know there is more waiting for you? Great gift options for you and a friend or spoil yourself! They look all the hard work have selected our favorite services designed to let her rest, rejuvenate and relax. Their spa services utilize award-winning natural and holistic products and services from top European and domestic spas to create a special oasis here in Green Bay.

When planning a wedding it’s not uncommon to spend $10,000-$30,000 on a one day event. Having a child is no different. Being financially responsible from the start can help you get to where you need to be and take stress off of you by being prepared. We teamed up with Jenna Reimer of Northwestern Mutual, and a fellow GBD client and mother of 4 (including a set of triplets) to give us some pointers on creating a financial plan for parenthood. Connect with Jenna on Facebook, and learn more about Nothwestern Mutual.

1. Prioritize your needs
We all want the latest and greatest in baby gadgets and let’s be real, walking the aisles of Target with the scanning gun to create your baby registry is an overwhelming and fun date! Keep it simple. Identify your needs vs the wants. We have taken the hard part out of this, and here are our suggestions to the most basic baby checklist: Get Your Baby Registry List Here

Another thing to consider is considering who will be your village. Your mother? Mother-in-law? Sister? Friends? Most will have their own families and will be able to help as they can but when it comes down to counting on someone consider looking into postpartum care. From extra hands, self care (like a nap, shower or be able to just run some errands), and having continuous connection to an expert in baby care that gives you the space to have a gentle recovery from childbirth. Prioritizing your early parenting time and recovery, is a way where saving can be a very good idea. Our most popular package is the maternity leave 100 hour package. A doula will come to you a few times a week for your entire time of leave to help you grow in your confidence as a new parent and catch up on sleep!

2. Use your already available resources
Call your insurance and ask questions to see what is covered and what is not. From how many ultrasounds, to your hospital stay, you will feel confident knowing exactly what your plan covers so there are no surprises. Learning your options for what can be covered with your HSA and FLEX spending accounts can be beneficial too. If you are really ahead of the game, you can change your insurance plan ahead of time to include a HSA plan or FSA, purchase supplemental insurance, and in some cases daycare and postpartum care can actually be built into these as well. A financial planner can also help you navigate the insurance world, if you need some direction in how to go about all of this. For a breakdown of what costs to expect, review this article that breaks down The Cost of Having a Baby.

3. Creating a Budget and the Emergency Fund
No one wants to sit down and admit how much they spend at Starbucks in a given month, but it can be eye opening when you see just where your money is being spent. Starting to save now even if it’s $10-15 a week, will help your budget stay on track and your fund to grow. Maybe something fun, such as the penny challenge where you start saving a penny on day 1, 2 cents on day 2, and so on and so forth. At the end of 365 days, you’ll have $667.95. And no, we aren’t saying you need to give up Starbucks entirely. Use these Budgeting Tips to help you get started.

4. Get Your Affairs in Order

We get it, no one wants to think about worst case scenarios, but by taking the time to put these three things in order it can save you money, stress, and time in the long run.

Life Insurance can be budgeted, depending on what your goals are. From term to full life plans, you will want to think of covering lost income, funeral expenses, and college funds. It can be built into almost any budget, and is something very important to think about.

Drafting a will is another must have, and we’re not talking about just writing your wishes on paper and putting in the safe. Sitting down with a professional, which starts at around $600-800.00. It’s worth every penny, and could even likely be covered by your penny jar savings. Start thinking about Estate Planning here.

5. Partner Communication and Connections
Last but not least, make a plan to take care of you and your relationships! From date nights, massages, to that weekly therapy appointment, make sure you are a priority. Make time to be with your partner, and to really be present with them (maybe a phone free date). After months of Netflix nights, it might be good to get out and do something. Even something fun like a date night subscription box where each month is a different theme and idea. Find a way to have fun and connect.

Becoming a parent is a huge transition, and can take the realities and responsibilities of being an adult to the next level. Taking steps to make it a smooth and easy transition, will not only benefit your family in the short term but in the long term too. Having a successful financial plan in place can lower stress, and you know what less stress means right? More time to do what you love, and more sleep!

I was recently at a friends house letting the kids burn off some energy and my friend is a part time food blogger (on top of mother, wife, and student) so if she says “I’m cooking dinner” – believe me, I’ll be there. We got on the topic of mom breaks and how it’s great when friends or family take the kids for the day or an overnight right? But then they leave and we find ourselves in a crossroads of self care or productivity. This is a real problem!

My friend declared: We all need a 3 day mom vacation!

So here are the plans for the 3 day mom vacation.

Day One: Run through the house in your pajamas, watch every show, eat in bed, take a long shower… several times. Go on a date or go to something fun for you. Something you never get to do, something you miss doing. Make it the perfect day.

Day Two: Sleep in, then time to conquer all things household. Deep clean, attack the mountain of laundry, (while still catching up on shows) order out so you don’t have dishes to do or have to cook. Do all things productive, all things on that “rainy day list” bust your butt. Whew! You did it!

Day Three: Recover from day two. Finish up the final touches and then one last time- take time for you. Be good to yourself, there is only one you and while you give yourself to others, your partner, children, fur babies, you also need to celebrate you. Do some retail therapy, and take a nap. Then the kids come back that evening and back to the grind we go.

The days are long but the years seem short. Those of us with young children are in the middle of some of the hardest years of your lives. This isn’t forever, it’s just for now and years down the road we will look back and say these were some of the best and hardest years of our lives but we miss them. So enjoy them while you’re in them but don’t forget to take care of you too.

It’s that time of year… time to become bears and hibernate until it is warm again. No? Okay so maybe we cannot hibernate but we can stay warm. We of course know what it takes to keep us toasty and comfortable but a baby may be a little bit more difficult. No worries, check out these tips!

IN THE CAR:
Coats in carseats are dangerous, it greatly increases the babies risk of injury in an accident, but there are other ways to keep your little one warm. Dress you baby in thin layers and tuck a blanket around them once they are correctly secured into their seats. On cold days a fleece sleeper can be used for extra warmth. For more information on winter and car seat safety guidelines from the AAP

OUTDOORS:
If out and about in the frosty a good rule of thumb is to add an extra layer to what makes you comfortable (reasonably, maybe more if you are a polar bear.) If playing in the snow, ensure you add a waterproof snowsuit with attached feet.
Also, stay aware and watch for signs of discomfort and cold, such as tear filled eyes ( not necessarily crying), shivering, or cold skin. It’s okay if you need to cut your outdoor time short in order to warm up!HOME:
The extra layer rule is also good here. Even though you maybe tempted to bundle baby up, remember the “ideal” temperature is 68-72* F. You can always check by placing your hand on babies tummy or back, they should be warm but not sweaty. Keeping your baby from overheating and using a zip style sleeping sack or a footed sleeper, rather than blankets which can cover baby’s face, are a few of the suggestions made by American Pediatric Associations for the prevention of SIDS.Hopefully these tips will help you and baby enjoy the upcoming winter and holiday season.

Fall​ ​Family​ ​Fun:​ ​Activities​ ​that​ ​Emily’s​ ​family​ ​does​ ​each​ ​year:Fall is my favorite time of the year and for most of us also the busiest! From getting
back to school, to fall activities and Packers Games, there is never a dull moment. I’m
the type of person who works hard to play hard, so I’m always out and about. Here are
my family’s top 6 fall activities!

Blasers Acres
This is my “quick, we have a morning free or an afternoon, any day of the week and I
wanna enjoy this crisp fall air” go to place!
Petting Zoo, pumpkin bowling, hay slide, corn box (sand is overrated by this time of year) and corn maze. I can grab my pumpkins, apples, seasonal veggies, decorating gourds and corn stalks. They also have a hay ride that runs at select times.When:​ ​Now​ ​through​ ​ ​Halloween Where:​ ​ ​2556​ ​School​ ​Ln​ ​Suamico,​ ​Wisconsin,​ ​WI​ ​54313 Cost:​ ​Free​ ​Admission,​ ​corn​ ​maze​ ​is​ ​$4.00

Delzer’s Pumpkin Farm
When my husband and I met in Madison we went to all the pumpkin patches, corn mazes and Halloween activities we could. When we moved back to Green Bay I wanted to make sure we still had a pumpkin patch to visit and I found Delzers. I can’t say how much I love this place! You pay a fee when you arrive and receive a punch card, each activity takes 1-2 punches. From haunted hayride, to tracker train pull, haunted granary
and the corn maze. If you have leftover punches that equals $1.00 to put towards the pumpkin patch! This will be our 5th year and it’s one we look forward to!When:​ ​September​ ​30th​ ​-​ ​Halloween​ ​11am​ ​to​ ​4pm​ ​on​ ​Saturdays​ ​and​ ​SundaysWhere:​ ​9581​ ​Delzer​ ​Cir,​ ​Oconto​ ​Falls,​ ​WI​ ​54154Cost:​ ​$7​ ​/​ ​Ticket​ ​(2​ ​years​ ​and​ ​under​ ​is​ ​FREE)​ ​-​ ​Includes​ ​4​ ​Punches​ ​(Hayrides​ ​are​ ​2 punches​ ​/​ ​All​ ​other​ ​activities​ ​are​ ​1​ ​punch)

15th​ ​annual​ ​Spooktacular
Another great indoor activity for all ages, from live performances to a pumpkin carving
competition, decorate your own pumpkin and other crafting stations, balloon animals and face painting. Come for an hour or stay for the day. The photo ops were impressive!When:​ ​Saturday,​ ​Oct.​ ​7th​ ​2017​ ​ ​9​ ​a.m.​ ​to​ ​3​ ​P.M.Where:​ ​ ​Lambeau​ ​Field​ ​AtriumCost:​ ​Free
Note: Those who attend the event are also encouraged to bring new or gently-used winter coats to Lambeau to donate to the Coats for Kids program.

Bellevue’s Trick or Treat TrailWalking in the woods of Josten park on a beautiful fall day just can’t get any better, or can it? There are local businesses and resources set up through the trail for your littles to get some treats! Photo ops, pick your own pumpkin and so much more. Registration is required so don’t wait on this event, it’s one of my favorites. Learn more and sign-up for the event hereWhen:Saturday,​ ​October​ ​21st​ ​(registration​ ​ends​ ​Friday,​ ​October​ ​20th​ ​4:30​ ​P.M.)Time: 10:00am​ ​-​ ​12:00​ ​P.M.Where:​ ​Josten​ ​Park​ ​(sign-in​ ​at​ ​shelter​ ​upon​ ​arrival)Cost:​ ​Free

Sweet Street is an indoor halloween focused event where weather dependent activities
aren’t even a problem. It’s the largest and most popular Halloween events in Northeast Wisconsin. You are able to see local resources and participate in kids activities like: bounce houses, box maze, fire trucks, petting zoo and live performances, all while your child trick or treats to each booth.When:​ ​ ​OCTOBER​ ​27,​ ​2017​ ​11:00-8:00​ ​P.M.​ ​and​ ​ ​OCTOBER​ ​28,​ ​2017​ ​8:30​ ​-​ ​4:00 P.M.Where:​ ​Shopko​ ​HallCost​ ​ ​$5.00​ ​advance​ ​or​ ​$6.00​ ​at​ ​the​ ​door.

It’s a Magical Halloween at Heritage HillEvery year is a different theme with two things I love, history and candy! Explore the buildings, go to story time in the church, enjoy a bonfire, apple bobbing and lots of spooky fun. Plan accordingly, there are shuttles and street parking. It’s a lot of walking so come prepared, but oh so worth it! This year witches and wizards are taking over the park!When:​ ​Saturdays​ ​October​ ​21​ ​&​ ​28​ ​ ​@​ ​3-8​ ​P.M.Where:​ ​Herritage​ ​Hill​ ​State​ ​ParkCost:​ ​ ​$7 admission, Children 3 and under are FREE. Members free for Traveler level and above

We hope to see you out and about this fall season celebrating family and creating memories. Happy fall everyone!

Welcome to part 3 of this three-part blog series about using essential oils during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. In part 1 of the series we discussed utilizing essential oils during pregnancy, if you missed it, you can find it here. Part two discussed how to utilize essential oils once you go into labor and keys to making a labor kit, if you missed it, you can find it here.

This blog will focus on the postpartum period and essential oils that can assist you in feeling your best, while your body gets back into the normal swing of things. We will also discuss some great hydrosol options for you and that new bundle of joy.

So, you’ve made it through your pregnancy and delivery and now are headed into the postpartum period. A woman’s body goes through intense hormonal changes from the moment of conception to well beyond the delivery of that precious bundle of joy. Many women experience postpartum depression after delivery, an experience that can leave you feeling lost and alone. If you are experiencing postpartum depression, please know that you are not alone! What you are feeling is a lot more normal than you may think and it’s ok to ask for help. If you feel that the depression is taking over and feel as if you can’t manage it on your own, be sure to talk with your doula or health provider about options for treatment.

Being a new mom is quite a beautiful journey. Some days will definitely feel harder than others, but in the end, it’s all a part of this wonderful and sometimes crazy journey called motherhood. So, what are some things you can do to be your most vibrant self after delivery? Well, I’m glad you asked!! Read on to find out ways to nourish yourself and that new bundle of joy during the postpartum period.

What you need to know about using essential oils around your new bundle of joy

The topic of using essential oils around babies and kids comes up quite often. Typically, I do not recommend utilizing essential oils on children under the age of two years. Essential oils are extremely powerful concentrated plant substances and while they are natural, there may still be some risk when utilizing them on small children and babies. One of the things to keep in mind is that often times a newborn baby or small child cannot effectively communicate with you how an essential oil is making them feel. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) for instance is known as being an extremely calming and soothing essential oil. However, for some it has the complete opposite effect and can make them feel uneasy or on edge.

So, what’s a new mom to do?

Hydrosols are a wonderfully effective option for babies and small children. Hydrosols (sometimes referred to as hydrolats or floral waters) are the coproduct of essential oil distillation and often times can carry similar therapeutic properties to the essential oil. Hydrosols are much gentler and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Hydrosol – This hydrosol can be added to baby’s bath to help relax and sooth. It can also be misted in the air, lightly on sheets, or your clothing to help calm at naptime or bedtime. It can help with minor skin irritations and can be mixed with German Chamomile hydrosol for diaper rash.

German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Hydrosol – This hydrosol is great for hot and red skin conditions. It’s also known for its calming capabilities. You can add a small amount to baby’s bath to sooth and relax. It can be mixed with Lavender hydrosol for diaper rash.

Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) Hydrosol – This hydrosol is extremely skin healing and can be used for minor, cuts, burns, scrapes and bruising. It can be mixed with German Chamomile hydrosol for skin irritations and rashes.

When my daughter was a newborn I used coconut oil as her diaper cream which worked like a charm. If she had diaper rash a 50/50 mix of Lavender and German Chamomile hydrosols were my go to. Sometimes, I would even just use straight Helichrysum hydrosol for diaper rash, which also worked great. I would spray the area first with the hydrosol mix and then follow up with coconut oil. The irritation was typically gone by the next diaper change.

What about diffusing around my new bundle of joy?

When it comes to diffusing I do not recommend diffusing around babies under 6 months of age. From ages 6 months – 2 years, low ambient intermittent (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) diffusion in a well-ventilated room, as needed, is generally ok as long as you are using nourishing essential oils without any age contraindications. For this age group, less is more and I find utilizing 1-3 drops in a diffuser in a well-ventilated room is all you need.

With this age group, I recommend only diffusing as needed and for short periods of time. If you are looking to diffuse essential oils for peace and calming, one of my favorite recipes would be 2 drops of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and 1 drop of Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). I would still recommend using hydrosols over essential oils with this age group.

How to nurture yourself in the postpartum period…

Above we talked about postpartum depression, a reality for many new mothers. Our hormones are all over the place as our bodies are getting used to not being pregnant anymore. Mood swings and exhaustion are all too common during this time. Essential oils are wonderful for enhancing your mood and bringing about a euphoric state! Making yourself a personal inhaler to have on hand when you feel as if your mood is low is a wonderful way to support yourself during the postpartum period. Personal inhalers are a great and effective way to experience the benefits of aromatherapy. You can use them anytime without having to worry about exposing your newborn to essential oils. They are also compact and easy to carry in your pocket, diaper bag or purse.

Here are some of my favorite mood enhancing essential oils for the postpartum period:

Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara) – Distilled from flowers, Neroli is my go-to for those that need strong emotional support. This essential oil is known for its calming effects and may help to reduce anxiety.

Geranium (Pelargonium x asperum) – Distilled from leaves, Geranium is known to relax the nerves and for its calming capabilities. Geranium is also known for its uplifting effects.

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) – Distilled from roots, Vetiver is deeply calming and grounding. I love this essential oil since it helps to quiet the mind and allows you to enter a state of deep relaxation.

The essential oils above blend together beautifully and will leave you feeling uplifted yet relaxed. Don’t have access to a personal inhaler? No problem! You can put a few drops of the above essential oils on a cotton round and put it into a plastic Ziploc bag to inhale whenever you feel as if you need a little boost.

Other ways to support yourself during the postpartum period

Hydrosols can be used as a peri rinse, sitz bath, or a compress to help ease pain and irritation.

Some of my favorites include: Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita). You could use one or mix a little of each hydrosol for nourishing results. Pure aloe vera gel could also be added to the above hydrosols for extra nourishing results. If adding aloe vera gel I would recommend a 1:1 ratio to hydrosol. Your recipe may look something like this:

You can use the above mixture as a spray, peri rinse, sitz bath or on a compress.

Sweet Endings

Being a new mother is beautiful, magical, at times difficult, but oh so rewarding! I hope this series helps to give you a better understanding of how to utilize essential oils safely during your pregnancy, delivery and beyond.

Do you have a question that hasn’t been answered during this 3 part series? Feel free to email me at Sara@pneuma.online

Preparing for a new member of the family we get asked all the time, what is the number one thing you suggest we do now? We always respond with a quick… MEAL PREP!

Meal prep is perfect for quick dinners with a little prep work, you can save time later and still have an amazing meal with minimal effort. This round of recipes are all quick freezer ready meals for the crockpot, casseroles in the oven, and one pot meals. Easy for those who also want to make something for a friend as the best postpartum gift you can give!

Teaming up with local food blogger Ashley Lecker of Cheese Curd in Paradise for some of her favorite and easy meal prep ideas. If you love these ideas, she does regular meal planning on her blog, giveaways, and I have to say I’ve never had a bad meal when she’s suggested it. Ashley has been featured in Taste of Home, Wisconsin CSA, Festival Foods, Reader’s digest, featured in various sponsor recipes for national brands and her blog has 25,000 views monthly. Enjoy these 5 simple recipes and stay tuned for more meal prep ideas!

CROCKPOT

Tex-Mex Chicken–

Instructions

Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker and sprinkle taco seasoning over the top. Layer the other ingredients evenly over the chicken, except the cream cheese.

Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8 hours.

Remove chicken from slow cooker, shred and return to slow cooker. Add cream cheese, stir, cover and continue to cook on high for 30 minutes. Stir well and over rice with desired toppings.

Freezer modification: Place all ingredients in a freezer-safe zip lock. When you are ready to make it, thaw and follow preparation directions.

Pesto Ranch Chicken

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 cup prepared pesto

1 package Ranch Dressing Mix

1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions

Place chicken breasts into crockpot. Mix pesto, ranch dressing, and chicken broth into crock pot. Stirring gently to combine all seasonings. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. Tip: Sprinkle some feta on top!

Freezer Modification: Place all ingredients in a ziplock and freeze. To cook, thaw and follow prep directions.

Teriyaki Chicken

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs chicken breasts

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup soy sauce

½ cup pineapple juice

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp minced fresh ginger

1 medium onion, chopped

Instructions

Place chicken breasts into crockpot. Sprinkle onions evenly over chicken. In a medium bowl mix all other ingredients. Pour over the chicken. Set temperature on low for 6-8 hrs.

Serve with rice.

Freezer Modification: Place all ingredients in a ziplock and freeze. To cook, thaw and follow prep directions.

In a lightly sprayed 9×13-inch pan, place half of the cooked pasta in the bottom of the dish. Spread cream cheese mixture over noodles. Top with remaining noodles. Pour meat sauce over noodles and top with mozzarella cheese.

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Freezer Modification: Prepare casserole in a freezer friendly pan with a cover. Thaw before baking and follow baking instructions.

Meatball Sub Casserole

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Cut biscuits into 8 pieces and spread evenly into the baking dish. Pour marinara sauce over the biscuits and stir to evenly coat. Evenly layer meatballs over the biscuits and sauce. Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly and biscuits are cooked. Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve.

King Crown Burrito Casserole

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 casserole dish and set aside.

In a large rimmed skillet, brown beef with onions, peppers, and garlic. Drain excess grease. Add corn, beans, and tomatoes. Add seasonings and allow beef mixture to cook for a few minutes. Spread beef into the casserole dish and top evenly with cheese. Arrange tater crowns over the casserole.

Bake 35-40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Freezer Modification: Prepare casserole in a freezer friendly pan with a cover. Thaw before baking and follow baking instructions.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Tot Casserole

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 casserole dish and set aside.

Mix cream of chicken soup, ranch packet and sour cream. Gently stir in the chicken. Spread chicken mixture evenly into the casserole dish. Top evenly with grated cheese and follow by topping with chopped bacon. Evenly arrange tater tots on top of the casserole.

Bake uncovered in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Freezer Modification: Prepare casserole in a freezer friendly pan with a cover. Thaw before baking and follow baking instructions.

One-Pot

One Pot Chili Mac

Instructions

In a medium to large pot, brown the ground beef. Drain excess grease and add remaining ingredients besides the pasta. Lightly simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the pasta, cover and cook till pasta is tender stirring a few times to avoid sticking while the pasta cooks. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Serve immediately. Top portions with sour cream and grated cheese.

One Pot Chicken Feta Alfredo (source: Plain Chicken)

Instructions

In a large rimmed skillet or medium pot cook the pancetta and drain the fat. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook 15-20 minutes.

One-Pot BLT Tortellini Skillet

Instructions

Place pasta, cream, water and garlic powder into an oven safe skillet. Simmer 8-10 min until the liquid has reduced and thickened.

Add spinach, cheese, 1/2 cup tomatoes and gently stir until cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper (remember you will add bacon at the end so careful with the salt).

Top with remaining cheese and Romano. Broil for 3-5 minutes. Watch the pasta carefully because it will burn easily and you want a nice light brown top.

Remove from oven and top with remaining tomatoes and chopped bacon.

Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Pineapple (Source: All Recipes)

Instructions

Open pineapple, drain, and juice. Set pineapple aside. Add water to juice if needed so it equals 1 cup; and pour into a large skillet. Add 1/3 cup water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch; whisk until smooth.

Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until heated through. Serve with rice.

One Pot Baked Ziti

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a dutch oven or other heavy bottom pot, add the olive oil and cook the beef and sauce till no longer pink. If there is a heavy amount of grease, drain a bit from the pot. Add the garlic and gently stir in the uncooked pasta and marinara sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

Add the water and the cream. Stir well. Bring to a slow simmer and cook for 6-7 minutes or until pasta begins to soften. Top with cheeses and cover. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and serve with a crisp green salad and crusty bread.

Also, check out this great article from our friends at Groom & Style, called Awesome Recipes That Freeze Well try these recipes out and let us know which ones were your favorite! If meal prep seems daunting, the postpartum doulas here at Green Bay Doulas are professional preppers! From making the grocery list, getting the items, and assembling them. We can help you get a leg up and fill up that freezer!

A huge thank you to Jeanette Knill, PT for guest blogging for us on this important topic!

I am a Physical Therapist that specializes in treating women with pelvic floor disorders (PFD) which means most of the women I see in the clinic have UI or pain in the pelvis, especially during intercourse.

Here are some research findings related to UI:

Nearly 30% of the female population in the US has a problem with urinary incontinence.

It takes the average woman up to 7 years before she tells her healthcare provider that she has a problem. Why? She is embarrassed or thinks it isn’t a problem because many of the women she knows also pee in their pants.

Kegel exercises are only part of the solution to help you regain continence.

Let’s talk anatomy: The pelvic floor muscle is the bottom of the body. In a female, it is the muscle structure that supports the uterus, vagina, bladder and rectum. It controls when we use the toilet and is important in sexual satisfaction. This muscle is like a hammock. It attaches in the front to the pubic bone and in the back at the tail bone. The sides attach to part of the hip bone and a hip muscle (obturator internus) on each side of the body. Other hip muscles that attach near the pelvic floor muscle are the gluteal muscles (your butt) and the piriformis muscles. The low abdominal muscles attach to the pubic bone, just above where the pelvic floor muscles attach. Your low abdominal muscles and hip muscles are very important in the functionof the pelvic floor.

Usually, the first recommendation for women who report UI is to do Kegel exercises, tightening the pelvic floor muscles like you are trying to stop pee or gas from escaping. Why gas? Remember I said the pelvic floor is a hammock from front to back. When you tighten the muscle in the front-around the urethra (where pee comes out) you also tighten the muscles in back around the anus (where gas and poop come out). The person next to you knows when you pass gas but you can hide pee in a pad! Thinking about stopping gas can send a stronger signal to the brain and gets a better contraction. Do not tighten your butt cheeks when doing a Kegel exercise.

Some other Kegel tips for success: When you tighten your pelvic floor it is a squeeze and lift. Imagine you are sitting on a grape and you want to pull it up into your vagina. Silly, right? I bet you just did it!

But…it isn’t just about Kegel exercises. Strength at the low abdominal and hip muscles are also important. Crunches are not an effective way to strengthen the low abdominal muscles. Planks and challenging the muscles with leg movements are more effective. Hip exercises that work your “butt cheeks” are beneficial. Stay tuned for future blogs that will highlight the best way to strengthen your abs and butt.

-Jeanette Knill, PT, works at Bellin Health Generations clinic as a physical therapist specializing in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction.

November is National Adoption Month, which is a topic near and dear to my heart, as I was adopted at just 9 weeks old from the Milwaukee area. Growing up I actually had a lot of friends who were also adopted. Believe it or not, we were often asked the same common questions and I thought I would share those in hopes of bringing awareness throughout the month to many of our readers.

What are the different types of adoption?

There are actually three different forms of adoptions!

Open Adoption:This is where your family may have access to the biological families information or even remain in contact with them.

Closed Adoption: In this case, records are sealed about personal information on the biological family. Once you reach adulthood you can do a records request to see if the biological family would be interested in meeting. Sometimes this information is available and sometimes it’s not. In my case my request was denied, but I was able to get a ton of paperwork about my biological family and medical history. That was informative, but what was most significant and even more special were the papers my parents filled out as they waited for my adoption to be finalized, what they did with me, my milestones, things I never knew existed on paper.

Domestic vs International- Simply means were you born in the USA or adopted from overseas?

Was it difficult to family trees or family related school projects and activities?

Sometimes yes, and others no. My family was my family. I tailored all of my presentations to my family. My grandpa was of syrian descent and my grandmother german. I knew I was german and hungarian, but that’s about it. When you don’t have the information it’s hard to go off of, but I did my best with the info at hand.

And of course, my friends always wanted to know…

Do we really have two birthdays?

Sorta! We celebrate our birthdays and also my “gotcha day” growing up. I called this my special birthday, but others call it a Gotcha Day. Gotcha Day is the day we came home with our parents.

How do you explain adoption to children?

My mother always said it best. “You grew in my heart not my belly.” My outlook on being adopted is different then others may feel. I’m a firm believer that I was meant to be with my family and just needed a way to get there. So, yes, I grew in my mothers heart.

Also having playdates with other children and classmates who were adopted as well was probably the most beneficial part to me as a child.

So on this national adoption month do you know someone who’s adopting, was adopting or has adopted? Reach out, let them know you are glad they are in your lives!

So the all important question,

How do we, as doulas, support adoption?

Before Baby: We are available before baby is welcomed as Antepartum Support Doulas. We can help create an amazing space in the home of the family adopting the newest addition by setting up furniture, the nursery and helping you talk through feelings and emotions. We can also provide support to the biological mother or surrogate by talking through or going with her to doctor appointments and supporting her emotionally.

Throughout Labor: We support the biological mother or surrogate on her journey to birth in whatever capacity she may need, whether that’s physically or emotionally.

Once Baby Is Born And The Postpartum Period : We help with the transition when parents bring home baby with the use of postpartum care. Working with them to set up a routine or settle into their new parenting roles. We can also aide in the support of the biological mother or surrogate once home helping them with self care for healing both physically and emotionally. We can assist with general recovery, lactation support to either stop or pump, an ear to listen, and our extensive list of referrals. We have even encapsulated for a surrogate who was planning on pumping for the baby.

If you would like to hear more about the support doulas can provide during the adoption process I would be more than happy to answer questions! Feel free to contact us at info@greenbaydoulas.com

If you are a Shameless fan like we are, you saw in the season 7 premiere that Debbie hired a night nurse so she can get some sleep. Typically a night nurse or night nanny is someone who takes care of the baby in the evening so the parents can get some sleep. But, what if I told you there was such a profession where a trained professional came into your house who

1- Was an expert in newborn care,

2- Knew how to support a mother in recovery from childbirth,

AND

3- Took care of the family as a WHOLE!

Enter the Postpartum Doula!

A normal daytime shift (averaging 4-8 hours) can look like a number of things, but is not limited to:

An unbiased ear to listen to concerns

Meal prep

Sibling support

Nap for mother

Self care for mother

Breast/bottle feeding, formula feeding, basic lactation support

Light housework

Extra hands for errands or doctors appointments

Cesarean support

Newborn and baby care

Just to name a few!

And the support of overnights (10 hour shift) while parents rest:

Breastfeeding support

Bottle feeding support

Meal prep

Light housework

Baby care

And sleep for both parents!

What you can expect with a Postpartum Doula? Personalized care! Families often seek support for high needs babies such as colic or silent reflux, special needs, support during teething, transitioning back to work, sleep regressions and sickness, and adjusting to adoption and multiples! The goal of a Postpartum Doula is to support the parenting approach that fits your lifestyle best. Every family’s needs are different which is why we have a postpartum planning session with each family to learn about the family dynamics, feeding style, parenting style and how best to support your family during the first year of a new addition.The beauty of a Postpartum Doula is that they help the family as a whole offering their expertise by lending a hand and helping a family transition into their new roles as parents, siblings and even furbabies!

While postpartum care is typically seen as a luxury item for many families, it’s simply about having a plan and making a budget. You may consider sitting down and discussing a postpartum plan even before your beautiful bundle arrives so that you can be as prepared as possible entering into this new chapter! Everyone plans for the arrival, but what about the weeks and months after your little one is here, Postpartum Doulas are happy to help!

Why make the investment? One of our clients explains it best so we’ll share his quote with you, “My wife is home all day with the baby and when she’s well rested she’s a better mother and wife and that’s what is important to me!” Utilizing a postpartum doula can be different for each family. Whether it’s full time, part time or as needed; we want you to thrive during this time, not just survive.

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What Our Clients Are Saying

I have cried so much today and felt like an absolute failure. You’ve already helped me a million times more than I expected via text at 9:30 at night. Honestly, thank you so very much. You’re in the right field and all the mommas out there are lucky to have you. S raves about you and I can see why. Thank you!

April 17, 2018

I cannot even express how happy I am that I found Emily and the Green Bay Doulas in time for my pregnancy and delivery!! They could not have been more enjoyable, wonderful, knowledgeable and caring. Not only were they on top of their game but they became friends.

Emily gave me insight at every corner from being breech to getting me in for maternity photos with the brilliant Kristy Reuter (Kristy Reuter Photography) to having the baby’s heart drop drastically during delivery (while explaining everything to Nick while he was stressed himself), to helping me during sleepless nights to my baby’s lip and tongue being tied to belly binding to placenta encapsulation to baby wearing, everything, everything, everything. She made me feel strong and normal when some things were unnerving and frightening. She was always there for us day and night. And what an amazing personality and sense of humor!!

I think the placenta encapsulation and tincture were such a saving grace. Coincidentally the last day of my placenta capsules was the 1st day back at the office when my baby boy was 14 weeks. They gave me the energy to nurse my baby day and throughout the night and to feel decent and present enough to enjoy my baby and take in all the delightful things about him rather than being exhausted and just going through the motions.

I still recall my baby’s different charming ways each day because from one day to the next he had many new ways about him. I want to remember it all and taking the capsules enabled me to feel energetic and enthused enough to relish it all!!!! Thanks to having this extra boost, I have had some fun even in the middle of the night and embraced motherhood wholeheartedly!

I cannot say enough about The Green Bay Doulas. Emily, Chelsea, and Whitney have been a blessing every step of this journey. They are all incredibly bright, informative, funny, gracious and full of genuinely amazing personality. Most importantly, they will zap any of your stress!!! They all have exceptional credentials. For example, Chelsea is a surgical labor and delivery nurse even!!! My experience is top notch and I even think the services are quite reasonable and affordable for all that you will receive.

The post partum care was of immeasurable benefit. You can book hours to use over a certain time frame to have a doula come to your home day or night so you may sleep, have someone wonderful cook or bake for you, pick up some groceries, share their tried and true techniques, have this professional of babies take care of your child so you may have some much needed time with your husband. They will even do an overnight to feed your baby or, if you’re nursing, change, wake you and swaddle just like in the hospital so you can be your best during the day.

I could not be any happier with The Green Bay Doulas!!

January 9, 2018

"I've called a lot of different doulas and doula agencies and Green Bay Doulas are by far the most accommodating, kind, human. They continue to exceed my expectations. I honestly don't know what we would have done without them."

October 2, 2017

"Doulas supported us before during and after. It was like having another pair of hands to help support my wife. I also think encapsulation is so helpful after birth and it helped our transition with both boys" - Ron, Husband of labor and postpartum client

June 23, 2016

"I want to share an experience I had yesterday. I hired a postpartum doula Sam. (Very reasonable!) I was not sure when or why I would need her but I thought I would give it a shot. She came at 8 am. I was able to take a relaxing bath while she played with my children. I then bathed my kids while she did my overdo dishes. I was then able to tidy up around the house while she ran all my errands and pick up the children's lunch. She helped me get them fed and cleaned up that mess too. All of this with good conversation. This was truly a treat and would recommend it to anyone. I was so far ahead last night I sat down with extra energy wondering what I should be doing. I do have coupons for Sam if anyone is interested. I highly recommend this... It was a weight lifted off my shoulders. Our baby is already 3 months but does not like to be set down so I was at peace knowing I could get a few things done while someone loved her up. Thanks Sam! And Green Bay Doulas!"

Stephanie - Shawano, WIFebruary 24, 2016

"I felt like I had a teammate alongside me. On the nights she was here, she always left with us better then when she arrived. She made the evening hours stress-free and then allowed me to focus on baby while she help to get my home in a great place and my older son entertained"

January 11, 2016

"Thanks for your support and guidance as we figured it all out... nursing was the hardest and most unexpected challenge we faced postpartum and having resources like you was the only way we were able to keep it going to make it work. thank you!"

January 11, 2016

"Postpartum care. Hands down the BEST decision I made with bringing baby #2 home (with a toddler). Emily helped ease the transition of a newborn into the family and gave amazing recommendations on getting my toddler to be an active-helpful-understanding big brother. Not to mention the extra hands helping around the house so I could take 10 minutes to myself!"